Robbie Robertson, the lead guitarist and songwriter for The Band, passed away at the age of 80. He was known for his contributions to songs such as “The Weight” and “Up on Cripple Creek,” which helped shape contemporary rock music. Robertson died in Los Angeles surrounded by his family after a long illness. From their time as Bob Dylan’s backing group to their own success as pioneers of community and virtuosity, The Band had a profound influence on popular music in the 1960s and ’70s. They amplified Dylan’s transition from folk to rock and incorporated American folk traditions into their own sound. Martin Scorsese, Robertson’s close friend and collaborator, expressed his admiration for Robertson’s music and its connection to the traditions and history of America. Robertson, a Canadian-born musician of Jewish, Mohawk, and Cayuga descent, discovered his love for music in his adopted country and wrote songs inspired by the diverse sounds and cultures he encountered. He was fortunate to have crossed paths with musical legends like Buddy Holly, Aretha Franklin, the Velvet Underground, the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. The Band originally began as Ronnie Hawkins’ backing band before evolving into a versatile group that embraced various musical styles. The band members included Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson. They adopted the name “The Band” after being referred to as such while performing with Dylan. Their first two albums, “Music from Big Pink” and “The Band,” remain emblematic of their work. These albums showcased an intimate and introspective sound that drew from blues, gospel, folk, and country music. The Band is regarded as a foundational source of Americana or roots music and influenced numerous artists, including Eric Clapton, The Grateful Dead, and Elton John. The Band’s songs were covered by popular artists like Aretha Franklin, Joan Baez, and The Staple Singers. Their impact on music culture was profound. Like Dylan, Robertson was a self-taught music enthusiast and storyteller who drew inspiration from various American influences, such as William Faulkner’s novels, Howlin’ Wolf’s blues, and the gospel harmonies of the Swan Silvertones. Robertson’s music seemed not just created but unearthed, as demonstrated by his songs like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and “The Weight.” Despite initial success, the band faced challenges and struggled to sustain their momentum. Robertson became the dominant songwriter, and albums like “Stage Fright” and “Cahoots” received mixed reviews. After Manuel’s tragic accident, Robertson decided to take a break from touring and organized “The Last Waltz,” a farewell concert featuring industry legends like Dylan, Van Morrison, and Neil Young. The event was captured in Scorsese’s notable documentary. However, the concert strained Robertson’s relationship with Helm, and Helm accused Robertson of greed and control over their music catalog. The Band continued performing without Robertson, while he pursued a solo career and composed soundtracks. Robertson remained close to Scorsese and worked on various film projects. The Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2020, Robertson reflected on his time with the band in the documentary “Once Were Brothers” and released the title ballad as a homage to his late bandmates. Robertson had two marriages and is survived by his second wife, Janet Zuccarini, children, and grandchildren.
Robbie Robertson, the Lead Guitarist and Songwriter of The Band, Passes Away at Age 80
Denial of responsibility! Swift Telecast is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials, please contact us by email – swifttelecast.com. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.